Fastenable conduit for breathable gas delivery

ABSTRACT

A fastenable air delivery conduit includes a body portion having a supply end and a delivery end and a fastener that substantially extends from the supply end to the delivery end. The fastener, when engaged, forms the body portion into a fastened configuration, and when disengaged, forms the body portion into an unfastened configuration. The body portion defines a longitudinal axis when in the fastened configuration, and the fastener extends from the source end to the delivery end of the body portion at an angle that is non-parallel with the longitudinal axis of the conduit.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a division of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/007,579, filed Jan. 11, 2008, allowed, which claims the benefit ofU.S. Provisional Application No. 60/879,798, filed Jan. 11, 2007, theentirety of each of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a fastenable conduit for deliveringbreathable air to a human when used with, for example, a continuouspositive airway pressure (CPAP) system, or other positive pressuredevice.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

While several types of air delivery conduits exist for use in deliveringpressurized air from a flow generator to a patient interface,conventional conduits have a size and shape that render them bulky tostore and difficult to stow. The size and shape of conventional airdelivery conduits are particularly inconvenient for those traveling witha Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) system. Additionally, thesize and shape of air delivery conduits renders them difficult to clean.As is understood in the art, cleanliness of the interior channel or coreof air delivery conduits is desired for ensuring the health of patientsusing positive pressure systems or gas delivery devices.

A number of CPAP systems have been developed with the aim of achieving amore compact device. For example, U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/483,564, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, describesa storage system for a CPAP system that comprises a collapsible airdelivery conduit having a z-shaped collapsible spring structure withinthe air passage. Moreover, International Pat. App. PCT/AU2006/001169,incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, describes a CPAPsystem comprising a compact air delivery conduit, such as an airdelivery conduit that is unzippable into two distinct sections that canbe retracted into a storage space.

There is a need for an improved, more compact, and fastenable airdelivery conduit for use with positive pressure systems and gas deliverydevices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the present invention is to overcome or at leastsubstantially ameliorate one or more disadvantages of the prior art.

In one aspect, the present invention provides a fastenable air deliveryconduit including a body portion having a supply end and a delivery endand a fastener system that substantially extends from the supply end tothe delivery end. The fastener, when engaged, forms the body portioninto a fastened configuration, and when disengaged, forms the bodyportion into an unfastened configuration. The body portion defines alongitudinal axis when in the fastened configuration, and the fastenerextends from the source end to the delivery end of the body portion atan angle that is non-parallel with the longitudinal axis of the conduit.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a fastenable airdelivery conduit including an unfastened body comprising first andsecond longitudinal edges, a first fastener that substantially extendsalong the first longitudinal edge of the unfastened body, and a secondfastener that substantially extends along the second longitudinal edgeof the unfastened body. The first fastener is adapted to engage thesecond fastener to form the unfastened body into a fastened conduit. Thefirst and second fasteners comprise a tongue-in-groove arrangement.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a gas delivery systemfor use in CPAP therapy including a flow generator, a patient interface,and a fastenable air delivery conduit. The fastenable air deliveryconduit includes a body portion having a supply end and a delivery endand a fastener that substantially extends from the supply end to thedelivery end. The fastener, when engaged, forms the air delivery conduitinto a fastened configuration, and when disengaged, forms the conduitinto an unfastened configuration. The body portion defines alongitudinal axis when in the fastened configuration, and the fastenerextends from the source end to the delivery end of the body portion atan angle that is non-parallel with the longitudinal axis of the conduit.

In another aspect, the present invention provides an air deliveryconduit including a body having a supply end and a delivery end. Atleast a portion of the body is configurable between an unfastenedconfiguration and a fastened configuration. The body is arranged suchthat in the unfastened configuration at least a portion of the body maybe fastened to achieve the fastened configuration. The body defines alongitudinal axis when in the fastened configuration, and wherein thebody is configurable between the unfastened configuration and thefastened configuration along an angle that is non-parallel with thelongitudinal axis.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a method for cleaningan air delivery conduit including providing an air delivery conduit thatis configurable between a first configuration in which an interiorsurface forms an interior core and a second configuration in which theinterior core is open and the interior surface is exposed, convertingthe air delivery conduit into its second configuration, and cleaning theinterior surface.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a method for storingan air delivery conduit including providing an air delivery conduit thatis configurable between a first configuration to define an interior coreand a second configuration to define a substantially planarconfiguration, converting the air delivery conduit into its secondconfiguration, at least partially rolling and storing the air deliveryconduit in its second configuration within a storage space, and cleaningthe inside and/or outside surface of the air delivery conduit with oneor more cleaning elements or modules provided to the storage space.

Of course, portions of the described aspects of the present inventionmay form sub-aspects of the present invention. Also, various ones of thesub-aspects and/or aspects may be combined in various manners and alsoconstitute additional aspects or sub-aspects of the present invention.These and other features and aspects of the present invention will bedescribed in or be apparent from the detailed description below read inconjunction with the attached figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings facilitate an understanding of the variousembodiments of this invention. In such drawings:

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of an air delivery conduit in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the air deliveryconduit is in a fastened configuration;

FIG. 1B is a top planar view of the air delivery conduit of FIG. 1A,wherein the air delivery conduit is in an unfastened configuration;

FIG. 1C is a perspective view of an air delivery conduit in accordancewith another embodiment of the present invention, wherein fastenerangles are depicted;

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of an air delivery conduit in accordancewith another embodiment of the present invention, wherein the airdelivery conduit is in a fastened configuration;

FIG. 2B is a top planar view of the air delivery conduit of FIG. 2A,wherein the air delivery conduit is in an unfastened configuration;

FIG. 3A is a side elevation view of an air delivery conduit inaccordance with another embodiment of the present invention, wherein theair delivery conduit is in an unfastened configuration;

FIG. 3B is a side elevation view of the air delivery conduit of FIG. 3A,wherein the air delivery conduit is in a fastened configuration;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an air delivery conduit in accordancewith another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an air delivery conduit in accordancewith another embodiment of the present invention, wherein the fasteneris partially disengaged;

FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of a fastener that is suitable for usewith an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7A is a perspective view of an air delivery conduit in accordancewith another embodiment of the present invention, wherein the airdelivery conduit is in a fastened configuration;

FIG. 7B is a perspective view of an air delivery conduit in accordancewith another embodiment of the present invention, wherein the airdelivery conduit is in a fastened configuration;

FIG. 7C is a perspective view of an air delivery conduit in accordancewith another embodiment of the present invention, wherein the airdelivery conduit is in a fastened configuration;

FIG. 8A is a side elevation view of an air delivery conduit inaccordance with another embodiment of the present invention, wherein theair delivery conduit is in an unfastened configuration;

FIG. 8B is a perspective view of an air delivery conduit in accordancewith another embodiment of the present invention, wherein the airdelivery conduit is in a fastened configuration;

FIG. 8C is a perspective view of an air delivery conduit in accordancewith another embodiment of the present invention, wherein the airdelivery conduit is in a fastened configuration;

FIG. 8D is a perspective view of an air delivery conduit in accordancewith another embodiment of the present invention, wherein the airdelivery conduit is in a fastened configuration;

FIG. 9 is a side elevation view of an air delivery conduit, wherein theconduit is compacted within a storage space;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an air delivery conduit in accordancewith another embodiment of the present invention, wherein the airdelivery conduit has fixed collars and is in an unfastenedconfiguration; and

FIG. 11 is a schematic representation of an air delivery conduitconnected to a flow generator and a patient interface in accordance withan embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention provides an air delivery conduit for use with apositive pressure system or gas delivery device, such as, for example, aContinuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) system. In particular, forexample, the air delivery conduit can be adapted for use with the CPAPsystems described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/483,564 and inInternational Pat. App. Ser. No. PCT/AU2006/001169. Additionally, theair delivery conduit can be used with any respirator system or device,such as a portable ER respirator.

A conduit that is fastenable, in one broad sense, means that the conduitis convertible between fastened and unfastened configurations throughengaging or disengaging of a fastener. In this regard, fastenable alsomeans that a conduit in unfastened or open configuration can befastened, closed, reconfigured, or engaged through use of a fasteningsystem, to create a conduit in a sufficiently or substantially closedconfiguration that is useable for delivering air or other gas through aninterior core, channel, or space defined by the fastened conduit. Inanother sense, the conduit is convertible between a collapsible positionin which the conduit is substantially flat for storage and a patentposition in which the conduit establishes a conduit for air delivery. Inan embodiment, the conduit may not include a fastener and may beconverted between collapsible and patent positions in other suitablemanners.

The air delivery conduit is convertible between different forms orconfigurations, through engaging or disengaging of the fastener. In oneform, as is illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 2A, the fastener 20 of the airdelivery conduit 10 is engaged and the air delivery conduit 10 exists ina fastened configuration having a longitudinal core 14 through which anair flow can pass. In another form, as is illustrated in FIGS. 1B and2B, the fastener 20 of the air delivery conduit 10 is disengaged and theair delivery conduit 10 exists in an unfastened configuration thatrenders the air delivery conduit 10 more compact, more stowable, moresuitable for travel, more transportable, more packageable for sale,and/or more cleanable. In some embodiments, the air delivery conduit 10,when in an unfastened configuration can be further compacted, such as,for example, by rolling the unfastened air delivery conduit from sourceend 16 to delivery end 18, or vice versa. FIG. 9, for example,illustrates an embodiment in which an air delivery conduit 10 has beenrolled and stored within a storage space 30, such as, for example, aflow generator. In this regard, the air delivery conduit 10, when in anunfastened configuration, can be further compacted to any desiredextent. In one embodiment, for example, an air delivery conduit that is2 meters long and that, in a fastened configuration, has a diameter of20 mm, can be compacted to a size less than about 500 cm³ (e.g., lessthan about 475 cm³, less than about 450 cm³, less than about 425 cm³,less than about 400 cm³, less than about 375 cm³, less than about 350cm³, less than about 325 cm³, less than about 300 cm³, less than about275 cm³, less than about 250 cm³, less than about 225 cm³, less thanabout 200 cm³, less than about 175 cm³, less than about 150 cm³, lessthan about 125 cm³, or even less than about 100 cm³). The cubic volumethat the compactable conduit takes up, in this regard, will depend uponthe length of the conduit, the diameter of the conduit when in afastened configuration, and whether there are other portions of theconduit, such as end portions, that do not open up or lend themselves tobeing further compactable.

The overall volume of the delivery conduit 10, in this regard, can bedecreased when changed from a fastened configuration to an unfastenedconfiguration by greater than about 90%, such as, for example, bygreater than about 80%, by greater than about 70%, by greater than about60%, by greater than about 50%, by greater than about 40%, by greaterthan about 30%, by greater than about 20%, or even by greater than about10%. In some embodiments, the volume of the air delivery conduit 10,when unfastened and further compacted from a fastened configuration, canbe decreased from about 10 to about 90%, such as, for example, fromabout 20 to about 80%, from about 30 to about 80%, from about 40 toabout 80%, or even from about 40 to about 70%. In one embodiment, forexample, an air delivery conduit that is 2 meters long and that, in afastened configuration, has a diameter of 20 mm, the volume of the airdelivery conduit 10 can be decreased from an initial volume of about 650cm³ to final volume of about 400 cm³, about 375 cm³, about 350 cm³,about 325 cm³, about 300 cm³, about 275 cm³, about 250 cm³, about 225cm³, about 200 cm³, about 175 cm³, about 150 cm³, about 125 cm³, or evenabout 100 cm³.

In FIGS. 1A, 2A, 3B, and 4, an air delivery conduit 10 in a fastenedconfiguration is illustrated. The air delivery conduit 10 comprises abody portion 12 having a source end 16, a delivery end 18, and alongitudinal core 14 that extends from the source end 16 to the deliveryend 18. The air delivery conduit 10 also comprises a fastener 20 thatextends from the source end 16 to the delivery end 18 of the airdelivery conduit 10. Additionally, the air delivery conduit 10 comprisesa series of ribs or corrugations 22 that are situated along the extentof the air delivery conduit 10 from the source end 16 to the deliveryend 18 of the air delivery conduit 10.

In FIGS. 1B and 2B, an air delivery conduit 10 in an unfastenedconfiguration is illustrated. Here, the fastener is illustrated ascomprising a first fastening element 20-1 and a second fastening element20-2 that are disengaged from each other, wherein the first fasteningelement 20-1 and the second fastening element 20-2 are situated onopposing longitudinal edges 12-1 and 12-2 of the body portion 12. Theair delivery conduit 10 also comprises a source edge 12-3 and a deliveryedge 12-4 that, when the fastener 20 is engaged, form the source end 16and delivery end 18 discussed above with respect to FIGS. 1A, 2A, 3B and4. Additionally, the air delivery conduit 10 comprises a series of ribsor corrugations 22 that are situated along the extent of the airdelivery conduit 10 from the source end 16 to the delivery end 18 of theair delivery conduit 10.

Construction of Conduit

The air delivery conduit 10 can comprise any suitable material. Inparticular, for example, the air delivery conduit 10 can comprise aflexible and/or resilient material, such as a polymer material, apolymer-like material, a plastic, plastic-like, rubber, fabric (e.g.,impregnated fabric, such as plastic-impregnated fabric). The conduit canalso comprise any health-, medical-, or pharmaceutical-grade (e.g.,pharmaceutically-acceptable) material, such as, for example,polyethylene, polypropylene, polyolefins, silicones, Gortex®, and thelike. In one preferred embodiment, the air delivery conduit 10 isstructured such that the interior or internal surface of the bodyportion 12 of the conduit is substantially smooth. The smooth interiorsurface of the conduit, in this regard, is preferably of sufficientsmoothness to prevent or minimize air flow friction and/or air flowturbulence during the passage of an air or gas flow through the conduit.It is also desirable to minimize noise or sound caused by air flowthrough the conduit. It should be understood, however, that the interiorsurface of the air delivery conduit 10, or portions thereof, can haveany desired degree of smoothness. Alternatively, or in addition, theexterior surface of the air delivery conduit 10 is substantially softand/or substantially smooth, such that the air delivery conduit 10 canslide across furniture, bed linens, etc. in a desirable manner. Itshould be understood that the exterior surface of the air deliveryconduit 10, or portions thereof, can have any desired degree of softnessand smoothness. In some embodiments, for example, it may useful to havecertain portions of the outer surface to be sticky or fastenable so theconduit may be held in place.

The air delivery conduit 10 can be any suitable size, such as, forexample, a size that is suitable for use with a positive pressure systemor gas delivery device (e.g., a CPAP system). In particular, forexample, the air delivery conduit 10 can have a diameter, when infastened configuration with fastener 20 engaged, of less than about 40mm, such as, for example, a diameter of less than about 35 mm, less thanabout 30 mm, less than about 25 mm, less than about 22 mm, less thanabout 20 mm, less than about 18 mm, less than about 15 mm, or even lessthan about 10 mm. In some embodiments, the air delivery conduit 10 canhave a diameter from about 10 mm to about 40 mm, such as, for example,from about 10 mm to about 30 mm, from about 10 mm to about 20 mm, fromabout 12 mm to about 30 mm, from about 12 mm to about 20 mm, from about16 mm to about 30 mm, or even from about 16 mm to about 25 mm. In use,the air delivery conduit 10 may automatically expand to the requireddiameter due to the introduction of pressurized air to provide asubstantially rigid tube for allowing the passage of air therethrough.The air delivery conduit 10 can also be any suitable length, such as,for example, a length greater than about 1 m, greater than about 1.5 m,greater than about 2 m, greater than about 2.5 m, greater than about 3m, greater than about 3.5 m, or even greater than about 4 m. It is evensuitable for the air delivery conduit 10 to have a length from about 1 mto about 4 m, such as, for example, from about 1 m to about 3 m, fromabout 1.5 m to about 4 m, from about 1.5 m to about 3 m, from about 2 mto about 4 m, from about 2 m to about 3.5 m, or even from about 2 m toabout 3 m. The air delivery conduit 10 can also have any suitable wallthickness, such as, for example, a wall thickness from about 0.01 mm toabout 2 mm, e.g., from about 0.05 mm to about 1.5 mm, from about 0.1 mmto about 1.25 mm, or even from about 0.2 mm to about 1.0 mm.

The source end 16 and delivery end 18 of the air delivery conduit 10 canbe of any suitable size and structure for coupling in a sufficientlyair-tight manner (e.g., via snap-fit, snug-fit, or detent) to a flowgenerator 40 and to a patient interface 50, respectively, or toconnectors, interconnectors, or couplers thereto. In some embodiments,the source end 16 and/or delivery end 18 can be fitted with removableend caps (not illustrated) that are adapted to be engaged to a flowgenerator and to a patient interface, respectively, or to connectors,interconnectors, or couplers thereto. In another embodiment, the sourceend 16 of the air delivery conduit 10 is adapted to engage a patentinterface connector for use in coupling one end of the air deliveryconduit 10 to a patient interface, and/or the delivery end is adapted toengage a flow generator connector for use in coupling the delivery endof the air delivery conduit 10 to a flow generator. It should beunderstood, in this regard, that the air delivery conduit 10 can beadapted to couple with any suitable coupler device (e.g., couplerdevices comprising recognition systems), such as described, for example,in International Pat. App. Ser. No. PCT/AU2006/001169.

The air delivery conduit 10, when in a fastened configuration, can haveany shape that is suitable for gas delivery. In particular, it should beunderstood that the air delivery conduit 10 can have any suitablecross-sectional shape. In certain embodiments, for example, the airdelivery conduit 10 comprises a round, circular, ovular, oblong, orirregularly-shaped cross sectional shape. In other embodiments, the airdelivery conduit 10 comprises a more angular cross-sectional shape, suchas, for example, an angular cross sectional shape that lacks sharpedges. Additionally, the air delivery conduit can be comprise anysuitable lengthwise shape, such as, for example, straight, curved, bent,or a mixture thereof. As discussed below with respect to the fastenerelement, the shape of the air delivery conduit, when in an unfastenedconfiguration is dependent on the orientation of the fastener on or inthe body portion of the air delivery conduit. In particular, forexample, the air delivery conduit can be substantially trapezoidal inshape when in unfastened configuration, as depicted, for example, inFIG. 1B. Alternatively, the air delivery conduit can be substantiallyrectangular or square in shape, when in an unfastened configuration. Itis even possible for the air delivery conduit to be irregularly shaped(e.g., having only two parallel edges, or no parallel edges) when in anunfastened configuration, as is illustrated, for example, in FIG. 2B.

Ribs, Corrugations, and Structural Support Elements

The air delivery conduit 10 further comprises one or more ribs,corrugations, and/or structural elements 22 to reinforce, strengthen,enhance resiliency and/or flexibility of, and/or to prevent kinkingand/or collapse of the air delivery conduit 10. The rib, corrugation,and/or structural elements 22 can be present in any suitable size,shape, and orientation. It is suitable, for example, for ribs,corrugations and/or structural elements to be oriented in asubstantially perpendicular, substantially parallel, angular (e.g.,diagonal), or curved manner as compared to longitudinal axis L of theair delivery conduit 10 (illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 2A). The ribs,corrugations, and/or structural elements, in this regard, can besituated at any angle as compared to longitudinal axis L of the airdelivery conduit 10, such as, for example, at an angle less than about90 degrees, less than about 80 degrees, less than about 70 degrees, lessthan about 60 degrees, less than about 50 degrees, less than about 40degrees, less than about 30 degrees, less than about 20 degrees, or evenless than about 10 degrees as compared to longitudinal axis L of the airdelivery conduit 10. Additionally, the ribs, corrugations, and/orstructural elements 22 can comprise any suitable material (e.g., thesame material as that of the body portion 12, but in greater thickness,or at least one different material, such as a material have greaterresiliency or a material having lesser flexibility). In this regard, forexample, the ribs, corrugations, and/or structural elements 22 cancomprise any suitable health grade plastic or polymeric material.Additionally, the ribs, corrugations and/or structural elements 22 candistributed in any suitable manner in or on the air delivery conduit 22,such as, for example, in a uniform manner or in a non-uniform, dispersedmanner (e.g., at sites of desired bending of the air delivery conduit10). In one embodiment, as is illustrated in FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 4,and 5, the air delivery conduit 10 comprises a series of ribs orcorrugations 22 that are situated along the extent of the air deliveryconduit 10 from the source end 16 to the delivery end 18, and which areoriented in a substantially perpendicular manner with respect tolongitudinal axis L of the air delivery conduit 10 (illustrated in FIGS.1A and 2A). In another embodiment, as is illustrated in FIGS. 8A, 8B,and 8D, the air delivery conduit 10 comprises one or more ribs orcorrugations 22 that are oriented in a substantially parallel mannerwith respect to longitudinal axis L of the air delivery conduit 14. Inanother embodiment, the air delivery conduit comprises ribs orcorrugations that are oriented in a substantially diagonal orientationwith respect to the longitudinal axis L of the air delivery conduit 10,in order to increase flexibility of the conduit. In yet anotherembodiment, as is illustrated in FIG. 8C, the air delivery conduitcomprises ribs or corrugations 22 that are oriented at more than onedifferent angle as compared to longitudinal axis L of the air deliveryconduit 10, such as, for example, to form a web- or matrix-likestructure. In yet another embodiment, the air delivery conduit comprisesa non-uniform distribution of structural elements that are oriented in asubstantially parallel manner with respect to the longitudinal axis L ofthe air delivery conduit 10. In another embodiment, the air deliveryconduit comprises rib elements that spiral substantially around theouter surface of the air delivery conduit.

Fastener

The fastener 20 can be any suitable fastening system that is engagableand disengagable to enable the fastenability and unfastenabilityfeatures of the air delivery conduit 10 described herein. The fastener20, in this regard, can comprise any structure that is suitable forsubstantially providing or providing a sufficiently air-tight and/orsufficiently leak-proof seal. As illustrated in FIGS. 1B, 2B and 5, thefastener 20 can comprise a first fastening element 20-1 and a secondfastening element 20-2, wherein the first fastening element is adaptedto engage the second fastening element. The first and second fasteningelements, in this regard, can comprise any suitable corresponding ormating structures that, when coupled or engaged, cause or enable the airdelivery conduit 10 to be in a fastened configuration. In someembodiments, the first and second fastening elements comprise anysuitable corresponding or mating structures that, when coupled orengaged, render the fastener 20 sufficiently air-tight for the airdelivery conduit 10 to act as a conduit for air delivery.

In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B, for example, thefastener 20 can comprise a tongue-in-groove structure, wherein the firstfastening element 20-1 is adapted to engage the second fastening element20-2 without the use of a slidable locking mechanism. In anotherembodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the fastener comprises atongue-in-groove structure, wherein the first fastening element 20-1 isadapted to engage the second fastening element 20-2 through operation ofa slidable locking mechanism 24. The fastener in FIG. 5 is illustratedin a partially disengaged position. In another embodiment, the fastener20 comprises an interlocking rib and groove structure, such as, forexample, a zipper (e.g., a water-proof zipper or an air-tight zipper).In another embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the fastener 20comprises loop and hook Velcro™-type fastening elements. In particular,FIG. 6 illustrates the fastener 20 as comprising a first fasteningelement 20-1 that comprises two Velcro™-type hook-containing regionsthat are separated by a sealant region 26 comprising a sealing material,and a second fastening element 20-2 that comprises two Velcro™-typeloop-containing regions that are separated by a sealant region 26comprising a sealing material, wherein the first fastening element 20-1is adapted to engage the second fastening element 20-2 in such a mannerthat the two hook-containing regions of the first fastening element 20-1couple with the two loop-containing regions of the second fasteningelement 20-2, and the sealant regions 26 of the first and secondfastening elements 20-1 and 20-2 overlap and collectively form asufficiently air-tight and/or sufficiently leak-proof seal. In yetanother embodiment, the first fastening element and/or the secondfastening element of the fastener 20 comprise an adhesive, a zipper,velcro, a tongue-in-groove element, a soft seal, an interlocking rib andgroove structure, or portions thereof, or combinations thereof.

The first fastening element 20-1 and the second fastening element 20-2can be oriented in any suitable manner with respect to the body portion12 of the air delivery conduit 10, such that when the first and secondfastening elements 20-1 and 20-2 are disengaged from each other, the airdelivery conduit 10 exists in an unfastened configuration, and when thefirst and second fastening elements 20-1 and 20-2 are engaged with eachother, the air delivery conduit 10 exists in a fastened configuration.As is illustrated in FIGS. 1A, 2A, 7A, 7B, and 7C, for example, thefirst fastening element 20-1 and the second fastening element 20-2 canextend from the source end 16 to the delivery end 18 of the air deliveryconduit 10 in any continuous or intermittent manner. In one embodiment,as is illustrated in FIG. 10, the fastener extends between two fixedcollars 28 at the source and delivery ends of the air delivery conduit10. Additionally, as is illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 2A, for example, thefirst fastening element 20-1 and the second fastening element 20-2 canextend from the source end 16 to the delivery end 18 of the air deliveryconduit 10 in any suitable coordinating angle or shape relative tolongitudinal axis L of the air delivery conduit 10 (illustrated in FIGS.1A and 2A). In one embodiment, for example, as is illustrated in FIG.2A, the first and second fastening elements 20-1 and 20-2 collectivelydefine a shaped (or S-shaped) fastener seam. In another embodiment, asis illustrated in FIG. 1A, the first and second fastening elementscollectively define a diagonally-oriented fastener seam. As illustratedin FIG. 1C, the fastener 20 is oriented at any suitable angle relativeto a longitudinal axis L (illustrated in FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C). Thefastener 20, in this regard, can have any suitable diagonally-orientedangle relative to the longitudinal axis L of the air delivery conduit 10(illustrated in FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C). FIG. 1C, for example, illustratestwo example fasteners 20-a ¹ and 20-a ² having two example angles a¹ anda² relative to the longitudinal axis L. In some embodiments, it issuitable for the fastener angle relative to the longitudinal axis of theair delivery conduit 10 to be such that the fastener 20 wraps around thecircumferential edge of the air delivery conduit less than about sixtimes (e.g., less than about five times, less than about four times,less than about three times, less than about two times, less than about1 time) in the span of conduit between the source end 16 and thedelivery end (not illustrated in FIG. 1C). In other embodiments, thefastener 20 is oriented at an angle between about 0.1 degrees and about30 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis L of the air deliveryconduit, such as, for example, at an angle between about 0.25 degreesand about 20 degrees, between about 0.5 degrees and about 15 degrees,between about 1 degree and about 12 degrees, or even between about 2degrees and about 10 degrees, relative to the longitudinal axis L of theair delivery conduit. In yet another embodiment, the fastener 20 isoriented at an angle of less than about 40 degrees relative to thelongitudinal axis L of the air delivery conduit, such as, for example,at an angle less than about 30 degrees, less than about 25 degrees, lessthan about 20 degrees, less than about 15 degrees, less than about 10degrees, less than about 5 degrees, or even less than about 1 degree,relative to the longitudinal axis L of the air delivery conduit.

As will be understood, the flexibility of the air delivery conduit 10can be increased or enhanced, in some embodiments, by orienting thefastener 20 at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis L of the airdelivery conduit 10 (illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 2A) in its extensionfrom the source end 16 to the delivery end 18, as compared toembodiments in which the fastener is substantially parallel with thelongitudinal axis L. In some embodiments, for example, an air deliveryconduit 10 having an approximately 12 inch long end portion thereof(either the source end 16 or the delivery end 18) suspended towards animaginary horizontal axis will form an angle at the point of suspensionof greater than about 10 degrees below the horizontal axis, such as, forexample, an angle of greater than about 20 degrees, greater than about30 degrees, greater than about 40 degrees, greater than about 50degrees, greater than about 60 degrees, greater than about 70 degrees,or even greater than about 80 degrees below the horizontal axis (e.g.,an angle between about 10 degrees and about 90 degrees, between about 20degrees and about 80 degrees, between about 30 degrees and about 70degrees, or even between about 40 degrees and about 60 degrees below thehorizontal axis).

In one embodiment, the air delivery conduit 10, when in a fastenedconfiguration with the first and second fastening elements 20-1 and 20-2engaged, is capable of delivering an air flow having a pressure greaterthan about 5 cm H₂O (e.g., greater than about 10 cm H₂O, greater thanabout 15 cm H₂O, greater than about 20 cm H₂O, greater than about 25 cmH₂O, or greater than about 30 cm H₂O) with no substantial leakageoccurring at the engaged fastener 20 (e.g., a leakage of less than about1-25 L/min at 10 cm H₂O, less than about 1-20 L/min at 10 cm H₂O, lessthan about 1-15 L/min at 10 cm H₂O, less than about 1-10 L/min at 10 cmH₂O, less than about 0.1-5 L/min at 10 cm H₂O, less than about 1-25L/min at 15 cm H₂O, less than about 1-20 L/min at 15 cm H₂O, less thanabout 1-15 L/min at 15 cm H₂O, less than about 1-10 L/min at 15 cm H₂O,less than about 0.1-5 L/min at 15 cm H₂O, less than about 1-25 L/min at20 cm H₂O, less than about 1-20 L/min at 20 cm H₂O, less than about 1-15L/min at 20 cm H₂O, less than about 1-10 L/min at 20 cm H₂O, less thanabout 0.1-5 L/min at 20 cm H₂O) occurring at the fastener 20. It will beunderstood, in this regard, that the air delivery conduit 10 can beoperably connected to any type of flow generator with substantially noleakage occurring at the fastener 20, such as, for example, withtwo-stage flow generators that may provide greater pressure rise andfall times.

Support Webs

The central core 14 of the air delivery conduit 10 can be substantiallyhollow and/or free of structural components. Alternatively, the airdelivery conduit can comprise one or more support webs (not illustrated)to provide internal support for the air delivery conduit 10, asdescribed, for example, in International Pat. App. Ser. No.PCT/AU2006/001169. In this regard, however, it is preferable that thesupport webs are positioned or oriented in such a manner that the airdelivery conduit 10 is substantially planar or flat when the fastener 20is disengaged.

Conductive Polymer

The air delivery conduit 10 can also comprise at least one conductivepolymer, such as, for example, for lessening or preventing condensationformation in the conduit and/or for providing power input to a connectedmask. The conductive polymer can be positioned in any suitable location,such as, for example, along the first fastening element, along thesecond fastening element, along one or more of the opposing longitudinaledges of the air delivery conduit, and/or through the body portion ofthe air delivery conduit. In one preferred embodiment, the air deliveryconduit 10 comprises a conductive polymer and an insulated return wire.Additionally, it will be understood that the conductive polymer cancomprise any suitable conductive material, such as, for example, aresilient and flexible conductive polymer.

Cleaning Elements

The air delivery conduit 10 can also comprise one or more cleaningelements or modules 32 for cleaning the inside and/or outside surface ofthe conduit. In one embodiment, one or more cleaning elements or modules32 are situated (e.g., fixed) on or in a storage space (such as thestorage space 30 illustrated in FIG. 9) for the conduit, such that theinterior and/or exterior surface of the air delivery conduit 10 iscleaned when the conduit is pulled or pushed into or out of the storagespace. Any suitable cleaning element or modules 32 can be used in thecontext of the present invention. In particular, for example, thecleaning elements or modules 32 can comprise a cleaning roller(optionally comprising a bactericide and/or fungicide) and/or aradiation-emitting device.

While the invention has been described in connection with what arepresently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments,it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to thedisclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover variousmodifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit andscope of the invention. Also, the various embodiments described abovemay be implemented in conjunction with other embodiments, e.g., aspectsof one embodiment may be combined with aspects of another embodiment torealize yet other embodiments. Further, each independent feature orcomponent of any given assembly may constitute an additional embodiment.Furthermore, each individual component of any given assembly, one ormore portions of an individual component of any given assembly, andvarious combinations of components from one or more embodiments mayinclude one or more ornamental design features. In addition, while theinvention has particular application to patients who suffer from OSA, itis to be appreciated that patients who suffer from other illnesses(e.g., congestive heart failure, diabetes, morbid obesity, stroke,barriatric surgery, etc.) can derive benefit from the above teachings.Moreover, the above teachings have applicability with patients andnon-patients alike in non-medical applications.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system, comprising: an air delivery conduitthat is convertible between a first configuration in which an interiorsurface of the air delivery conduit delimits an interior core and asecond configuration in which the interior surface is exposed and doesnot delimit the interior core: a storage space to house the air deliveryconduit; and at least one cleaning element arranged to clean the innersurface and/or an outer surface of the air delivery conduit as the airdelivery conduit moves into or out of said storage space.
 2. The systemof claim 1, wherein the air delivery conduit is configured to be usedwith a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) system, the firstconfiguration being a fastened configuration and the secondconfiguration being an unfastened configuration, the air deliveryconduit comprising: a body portion having a supply end and a deliveryend; and a fastener that substantially extends from the supply end tothe delivery end, the fastener, when engaged, forming the body portioninto the fastened configuration of the air delivery conduit, and whendisengaged, forming the body portion into the unfastened configurationof the air delivery conduit, wherein the body portion defines alongitudinal axis when in the fastened configuration of the air deliveryconduit.
 3. The system of claim 2, wherein the fastener extends at anangle to the longitudinal axis of the body portion.
 4. The system ofclaim 3, wherein the fastener extends without forming a completerevolution along the fastened configuration of the air delivery conduit.5. The system of claim 2, wherein the fastenable air delivery conduit isarranged for storage in the storage space in the unfastenedconfiguration.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least onecleaning element is located relative to the storage space.
 7. The systemof claim 6, wherein the at least one cleaning element is located on orin the storage space.
 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least onecleaning element comprises a cleaning roller, a brush or aradiation-emitting device.
 9. The system of claim 8, wherein each of thecleaning roller and the brush comprises a cleaning agent.
 10. The systemof claim 1, wherein the at least one cleaning element is arranged toclean the inner surface and the outer surface of the air deliveryconduit.
 11. A method for cleaning an air delivery conduit, the methodcomprising: providing an air delivery conduit that is convertiblebetween a first configuration in which an interior surface of the airdelivery conduit delimits an interior core and a second configuration inwhich the interior surface is exposed and does not delimit the interiorcore; providing a storage space to house the air delivery conduit; andproviding at least one cleaning element arranged to clean the innersurface and/or an outer surface of the air delivery conduit as the airdelivery conduit moves into or out of said storage space.
 12. The methodof claim 11, wherein the air delivery conduit is configured to be usedwith a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) system, the firstconfiguration being a fastened configuration and the secondconfiguration being an unfastened configuration, the air deliveryconduit comprising: a body portion having a supply end and a deliveryend; and a fastener that substantially extends from the supply end tothe delivery end, the fastener, when engaged, forms the body portioninto the fastened configuration, and when disengaged, forms the bodyportion into the unfastened configuration, wherein the body portiondefines a longitudinal axis when in the fastened configuration.
 13. Themethod of claim 11, wherein the at least one cleaning element is locatedrelative to the storage space.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein theat least one cleaning element is located on or in the storage space. 15.The method of claim 11, wherein the at least one cleaning elementcomprises a cleaning roller, a brush or a radiation-emitting device. 16.The method of claim 15, wherein each of the cleaning roller and thebrush comprises a cleaning agent.
 17. The method of claim 11, whereinthe storage space and the at least one cleaning element are arranged toclean the inner surface and the outer surface of the air deliveryconduit when said air delivery conduit is moved into or out of saidstorage space.
 18. The system of claim 1, wherein the storage space iswithin a flow generator configured to provide a supply of gas to the airdelivery conduit.
 19. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least onecleaning element is arranged to clean the inner surface of the airdelivery conduit.
 20. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least onecleaning element is arranged to clean the outer surface of the airdelivery conduit.
 21. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least onecleaning element is arranged to clean the inner surface and the outersurface of the air delivery conduit.
 22. The method of claim 11, whereinthe storage space is within a flow generator configured to provide asupply of gas to the air delivery conduit.
 23. The method of claim 11,wherein the at least one cleaning element is arranged to clean the innersurface of the air delivery conduit.
 24. The method of claim 11, whereinthe at least one cleaning element is arranged to clean the outer surfaceof the air delivery conduit.
 25. The method of claim 11, wherein the atleast one cleaning element is arranged to clean the inner surface andthe outer surface of the air delivery conduit.